Abstract: Housing of Gnotobiotic mice has traditionally been done in glovebox isolators. In today's world housing in those isolators, while effective, does not afford the end user expansion options and drastically limits the research output of very expensive laboratory floor space. In addition, Microbiota experiments at a rate necessary to explore the multiple microbes found in the gut lag behind due to the space limitations and low productivity of the glovebox isolator method. Introducing a novel IVC housing system, in conjunction with a partnership with consultants well-versed in helping to co-developed appropriate SOPs, allows for a vast expansion of Gnotobiotic mouse research and exponentially increased throughput without the need for facility renovation or expansion.

Abstract:Reducing aggressive behavior in mice has long been the goal of institutions and investigators. The consequence of aggressive behavior is single housing, which impacts animal social behavior and welfare, and increases research costs. Our goal was to develop a method to reduce aggression in group-housed mice, maintain social housing while avoiding drugs or techniques that modified behavior from "normal", and avoid undue costs or labor for staff. Few publications evaluate the effects of cage dividers or complex caging in mice. Of those that do, the modifications include a much larger cage, or caging system, that varied in the complexity of customization to cages. No simple, cost effective home-cage interventions are available to reduce aggression and maintain animal welfare. Therefore, we conducted an observational study of group-housed mice within standard disposable individually ventilated mouse cages with the addition of custom built dividers.

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